A Dou Zun Secret Realm?

"Big monkey, take this!"

Zi Yan cried out, stepped on empty air, and vanished from Jiang Yun's side. When she reappeared, she was already within half a meter of her opponent. She raised her fair little fist and drove it straight forward. The air shuddered with the punch, sheer strength producing a sonic boom.

The Snow Sky Demon Ape came to its senses, a flicker of fear crossing its crimson eyes. Only now did it remember that this little fellow had given it a thorough beating last time.

She was someone it could not afford to provoke!

Sensing danger, the Snow Sky Demon Ape displayed an agility utterly at odds with its bulk. Just as Zi Yan's fist was about to strike, it twisted aside and dodged.

Rumble-

A visible ripple of force abruptly spread outward. As it swept past, the surrounding boulders cracked, numerous fissures splitting their surfaces.

"Wait! Don't attack! We can talk this over!"

Seeing the destruction wrought by Zi Yan's punch, the Snow Sky Demon Ape broke into a cold sweat and hastily raised its hands to beg for mercy.

"Hmph!"

"Now you know to beg?"

"Too late!"

Zi Yan refused to let the Snow Sky Demon Ape off. It had provoked her; how could things end so easily without giving it a beating?

In the blink of an eye, the surrounding space rippled again, and Zi Yan vanished once more.

"Where?"

The Snow Sky Demon Ape remained vigilant. Having already suffered at the hands of this little girl in human form, it was on its utmost guard.

But the gulf in innate talent and species was simply that unreasonable.

"Right here!" Zi Yan's voice rang out again. Somehow, she had appeared right against the Snow Sky Demon Ape's chest.

Zi Yan stood only 1.4 meters tall, fair and delicate as a porcelain doll. The Snow Demon Sky Ape stood a full four zhang tall, its eyes crimson and its entire body radiating savage ferocity.

The contrast between them in the same scene was so stark that anyone watching would have feared Zi Yan might be torn in half.

Yet what happened was the complete opposite.

Zi Yan's fair little fist slammed heavily into the Snow Sky Demon Ape's chest with a resounding impact. Then the Snow Demon Sky Ape flew backward as though struck by a massive hammer and crashed into the mountain wall.

Boom-

With a tremendous crash, rock shattered and scattered in every direction. The Snow Demon Sky Ape's body embedded itself in the mountain wall, its enormous frame punched straight into the mountain by Zi Yan.

She truly was a tyrannosaur in human form!

Zi Yan's physical strength was now enough to thrash ninety-nine percent of the Dou Wangs on the Dou Qi Continent!

Watching this violent scene, Jiang Yun could not help marveling. Although his own physique was terrifyingly powerful, he still was not accustomed to Zi Yan's brutal way of fighting.

"Big monkey, you still can't take a punch!"

Looking at the Snow Sky Demon Ape she had felled with a single punch, Zi Yan planted her hands on her hips, looking displeased. She had not even exerted herself, yet it had already fallen. It was even less resilient than last time!

"Roar-"

"You've pushed this ape too far!"

A Fifth-rank Magical Beast was already no less intelligent than a human. Moreover, this Snow Demon Sky Ape guarded earth core body tempering milk, and its intelligence surpassed even that of ordinary Sixth-rank Magical Beasts. Hearing Zi Yan's words, it immediately flew into a rage.

The Snow Demon Sky Ape roared, its snowy fur suddenly turning red. Its already crimson eyes became entirely blood-red.

Its body abruptly grew taller, its muscles swelling further. Blood-red energy spread outward from its body, and its aura rapidly strengthened.

If the Snow Demon Sky Ape had previously been comparable to a Three-Star Dou Wang, it was now strong enough to fight a Five-Star Dou Wang.

"Bloodline power. Looks like that beating really drove it over the edge!" Seeing it bring out its last, hidden trump card, Jiang Yun knew the fight would soon be decided.

But was I about to win without lifting a finger again???

"Die!"

With its innate ability activated, the Snow Sky Demon Ape's confidence soared. Roaring, it picked up a millstone-sized rock and hurled it at Zi Yan with tremendous force. Whistling through the air, the rock struck the spot she had just occupied, while more stones came raining down.

More terrifying still, the rocks scattered like blossoms strewn by a celestial maiden, carrying a biting chill. Ice continually formed and spread around them in midair before bursting apart. If one of those freezing rocks struck Zi Yan, even an Ancient Void Dragon's body would suffer.

Facing the Snow Sky Demon Ape's attack, a purple light flashed in Zi Yan's eyes. She suddenly drew a deep breath, and faint dragon roars began rising from her abdomen!

An overwhelming draconic might erupted from within Zi Yan. Though she still looked very young, an invisible, majestic presence radiated from her, making the Snow Sky Demon Ape opposite her tremble.

"This is..." Watching the battle, Jiang Yun suddenly felt a wave of pressure wash over him-the presence of a higher-order predator. Within his body, the nine divine veins slowly began to glow, seemingly displeased by this bloodline's aura.

"Roooaaar-"

A terrifying dragon roar burst from Zi Yan's mouth, shaking the nine heavens. In that instant, Jiang Yun seemed to see an enormous purple dragon open its eyes, awaken, and roar in fury.

The dragon roar surged forward. Infused with draconic might, that cry could destroy everything, its domineering power sweeping aside all enemies beneath the heavens.

The Snow Sky Demon Ape's attack instantly crumbled. The frost-wrapped rocks could not withstand the sonic assault and shattered completely.

The Snow Sky Demon Ape was affected as well, thin trails of blood trickling from its ears and the corners of its eyes.

There was no trace left of the Snow Sky Demon Ape's ferocity after activating its berserk bloodline. Zi Yan's dragon roar had frightened it out of its wits.

What followed was simple. Terrified, the Snow Sky Demon Ape could offer no resistance to Zi Yan's tremendous strength. She pinned it to the ground and pummeled it mercilessly.

Zi Yan's little fists rained down, punch after punch, actually beating the Snow Demon Sky Ape out of its berserk state. Fierce scarcely began to describe her.

"Hmph! You really never learn." Finished with her beating, Zi Yan dusted off her hands and spoke with satisfaction, her irritation finally soothed.

Looking at the Snow Sky Demon Ape's bruised and swollen face, Jiang Yun felt no pity. The weak were meat for the strong; that was simply the reality of this world. Not killing it was already the height of their mercy.

"Let's go. Time to reap our rewards!"

With Zi Yan, their "treasure-hunting dragon," present, they smoothly made their way to the earth core body tempering milk.

This was an underground world filled with unusual stalactites. Milky-white formations stretched on endlessly, their faint white radiance shining like Luminous Pearls and driving away all the darkness.

Stalactites and stalagmites were everywhere, beneath their feet and above their heads. Some were even a hundred meters long. White droplets occasionally fell, splashing milky-white spray across the ground.

"Over here!"

Just as Jiang Yun was marveling at nature's uncanny craftsmanship, Zi Yan shouted excitedly and hurriedly pulled him toward the left.

That was where the earth's power was most concentrated in this underground world.

Soon, an enormous hanging stalactite appeared before them. One end joined the cavern ceiling, while the other pointed straight down. Its massive length exceeded a hundred meters, and it was thick enough to require two people to encircle it.

A faint glow seeped from within the stalactite, making it look like a crystal pillar. It was undoubtedly the largest and most extraordinary formation here, like an emperor among stalactites.

"That's strange. I clearly remember taking all of it last time. How did more appear so quickly?" Zi Yan blinked in confusion, staring fixedly at one spot.

There lay an enormous slab of bluestone, with a hollow on its upper surface facing the stalactite above. Just as dripping water wore through stone, countless years of dripping stalactite spirit liquid had carved out this hollow.

Inside the hollow, which was less than half a foot deep, lay some milky-white spirit liquid emitting a faint glow. Wisps of white mist drifted above it.

Merely approaching brought a refreshing sense of clarity to mind and body.

Zi Yan stared in puzzlement at the earth core body tempering milk that had gathered again. She had clearly taken all of it last time!

Could it be that this was not a rare treasure as Xiao Yun had said? Yet that tremendous energy could not be faked. With her many years of experience as a glutton, she could still judge the rarity of some natural treasures.

"This isn't the true earth core body tempering milk. It's been diluted. The real treasure is up there!"

Faced with the "poor student" Zi Yan's question, the "top student" Jiang Yun chuckled and looked up at the cavern ceiling.

"Hmph!"

"It's its own fault for growing somewhere so hidden!"

Looking upward, Zi Yan blushed deeply for once and stamped her foot in flustered annoyance.

Jiang Yun chuckled and comforted her gently. "All right. No matter how well it hides, won't it still end up in Zi Yan's mouth?"

"Exactly, exactly!" Zi Yan nodded repeatedly, giving Jiang Yun an approving look. Xiao Yun understands me best!

Was it that I couldn't find it? I just wanted to uncover this surprise together with Xiao Yun, all right!

Having consoled herself, Zi Yan slipped her hands beneath Jiang Yun's arms. Her purple Dou Qi Wings beat, carrying them upward along the enormous stalactite, which extended vertically for over a hundred meters.

Soon, they reached the cavern ceiling. Other stalactites hung nearby, emitting faint light like lamps and illuminating the entire underground world.

Where the enormous stalactite met the cavern ceiling, faint radiance gathered from all around, making it as beautiful as transparent crystal. This was where the greatest treasure truly lay.

"Move closer!" Jiang Yun directed Zi Yan slowly toward their target. Once they were in position, he took a fine piece of green jade from his Storage Ring, wrapped it in Dou Qi, and carefully cut into the base of the stalactite.

Guided by his exceptional spiritual perception, Jiang Yun cut a perfect little circular opening. Within the stalactite floated a mass of thick, emerald-colored liquid.

The liquid drifted slowly inside the stalactite as though possessing a spirit of its own. The pure energy it contained was more than ten times as concentrated as that in the hollow below.

"Quick, quick, Xiao Yun!!!"

With both hands occupied, Zi Yan stared at the earth core body tempering milk, practically drooling. Had she not been holding Jiang Yun, she would have rushed straight over without hesitation.

Jiang Yun did not leave Zi Yan fretting. He took out a jade piece and collected more than half the earth core body tempering milk. The crystal stalactite naturally dimmed considerably, but as long as its source remained, it would nurture this rare treasure again after countless years. There was no telling who its next fortunate discoverer would be.

Once everything was done, Jiang Yun handed Zi Yan a bottle of earth core body tempering milk.

"I suggest you don't drink it yet. This earth core body tempering milk contains the earth's power accumulated by this stalactite over hundreds and thousands of years. Its energy is immense. You're already approaching the peak of the fifth rank, and breaking through to the sixth rank will require an enormous amount of energy. This earth core body tempering milk will be just the help you need."

Seeing Zi Yan eager to enjoy it, Jiang Yun offered his advice at the appropriate moment.

"Hm?" Zi Yan looked torn as she stared at the Jade Bottle in her hands. Her little face almost creased into three deep furrows, reluctance and struggle written across it.

After a moment, Zi Yan gritted her teeth and handed the Jade Bottle to Jiang Yun. Through clenched teeth, she said, "Xiao Yun, keep this safe for me. I'll reach the peak of the fifth rank soon."

Jiang Yun took the Jade Bottle and rubbed the top of Zi Yan's head. "Let's go outside and see what good things we can find. We rarely get to come out. It would be a shame to head back just like this!"

"Let's go!" Zi Yan's eyes immediately lit up, and she eagerly pulled Jiang Yun toward the exit.

"I want to grow up! I want natural treasures."

"Have you heard? A Dou Zun Secret Realm has appeared on the Black-Corner Region Great Plains."

"A Dou Zun-"

"How many years has it been since a Dou Zun appeared in the Black-Corner Region? Those big shots must be going mad!"

"No wonder so many humans have come here lately. So they're here to hunt for treasure!"

"Hmph! That secret realm borders the Magical Beast Forest. We should have a share too."

"Exactly. Come on, let's go together!"

Before long, two enormous beast figures rose into the air and flew into the distance. Judging by their auras, both were Sixth-rank Magical Beasts, comparable to human Dou Huang experts.

Shortly after the two beasts left, a dark figure suddenly flashed into a dense thicket. The foliage stirred, and two little heads poked out.

"Did you hear that?" Zi Yan looked excitedly at Jiang Yun. A secret realm! A secret realm meant treasures, and treasures were her favorite.

Jiang Yun, however, thought differently. He considered things more thoroughly. This Dou Zun Secret Realm would undoubtedly stir up a storm throughout the Black-Corner Region. There would certainly be plenty of Dou Emperors, normally so rarely seen, and even Dou Zongs would personally join the fray.

To be honest, the two of them were a little too weak!

"Zi Yan, that place will be a nest of trouble. There'll definitely be Dou Emperors and Dou Zongs. If we go, we can't guarantee our own safety."

"Awww..." With Jiang Yun opposed, Zi Yan immediately deflated like a punctured ball, disappointment plain on her face.

"Go!" Just as Jiang Yun was about to take Zi Yan back to the Inner Academy, a familiar voice sounded in his mind.

Jiang Yun was somewhat surprised, because it was Qing Ming's voice. Normally, Qing Ming followed a policy of letting Jiang Yun fend for himself and rarely spoke, so this was unexpected.

"Is there something different about that secret realm?"

At that moment, the secret realm was the only explanation Jiang Yun could think of. What was special about it that had attracted Qing Ming's attention?